Child Struggling with Math – 10 Signs and How to Help

Child struggling with math? I get it. My son was struggling with math and we missed so many of the signs because we thought it was still age appropriate. So yes, sometimes it can be hard to tell whether or not they are having difficulties when it comes to such a tricky subject, so if you’re thinking of getting help you might want to consider these points first.

Child Struggling with Math – Here are 10 Signs to be Aware of

As a parent it’s important to remember that each child is different. So please if you read these and you start to feel worried; don’t panic. You must remember most kids will do these things at different development ages, it’s when it continues after the appropriate age is when you need to be proactive.

Here’s my list of 10 signs your child is struggling with Math.

Their grades are low – one of the most obvious signs that your child is struggling with math is that their grade is low in comparison to other the other subjects they are studying.

Their teachers approaches you to discuss them not reaching their full potential – If your child’s teacher is concerned about their progress when it comes to maths then it may be possible that they’re having difficulties in this particular subject.

They are exhibiting physical signs, like counting on their fingers – Sometimes children that are struggling to get to grips with basic maths will have to count on their fingers to work out even the simplest of questions. Keep an eye out to see if this is something your child does, as it could be a tell tale sign.

They have low self esteem when it comes to math – If your child is struggling they may be putting themselves down and saying things such as ‘I’m not good’ or ‘I can’t do it’. This could be down to the fact they’re having trouble, and may need some extra help.

They write numbers backwards – A sign that is often less talked about, if your child is writing their numbers backwards it could be that they’re experiencing mathematical difficulties.

They get confused by rules or scoring for sports and games – Again, this is a less obvious sign your child could be struggling, but if they don’t quite understand the rules or scoring in sports and games, you may want to consider investigating further.

They’re missing key milestones – When it comes to math, your child should be hitting milestones at specific ages. For example, by the time they’re in 2nd or 3rd grade they should have mastered addition and subtraction.

They have trouble organising things in a logical way – Although they may not be showing any of the above signs if your child is having difficulties organising things logically, it could be that they’re struggling with math.

They have trouble with the basic concepts of time – The concept of time can be confusing to any child, but if your child is having a lot of issues understanding the basics then there could be much more to it.

They insist they can’t do it without trying – Often your child may say that they can’t do something before they’ve even tried, right? Well, if this is something they’re doing regularly when it comes to math homework then it could be that they’re struggling in this area at school.

3 Tips on How to Help Your Child Who is Struggling with Math

There are numerous tips I could give you, but these are my top 3 that will help your child with early intervention.

Tip 1 – Speak with your child’s teacher and ask them questions about your child’s ability. It may help to see if they will specifically track down where the difficulties are, as well as asking them if there is any extra support the school is able to provide. Finding out if your child’s school does not have funding for extra assistance means you will be able to make arrangements outside of school as soon as possible.

Tip 2 – If the school is unable to help your child you can book an appointment at your gp. This will give you the opportunity to explain everything that has been going on, so they can suggest some additional testing that will be able to rule out things such as hearing problems or learning difficulties.

Tip 3 – you could join MathsOnline. This wonderful platform is Australia’s #1 Online Math Teacher that is designed to help those struggling with math to build confidence, learn at their own pace and get better overall grades. Using audio and animation, the tutorial that last between 4-9 minutes, making MathsOnline is perfect for those that harness both audio and visual learning styles. With worksheets, one page summaries, example workings and reports – MathsOnline is a great tool for those that need continued support with math throughout school.

Finlee learning odd and even numbers with Mathsonline. He loves it because he likes using my laptop and loves anything tech; so it’s a win win for both of us.